New Jersey Swimming Pools, Salons And Barbershops Reopen With Restrictions
RAMSEY, N.J. (CBSNewYork) – Monday marked the first day personal care businesses, like salons, were allowed to reopen in New Jersey.
Face coverings are required, and customers and workers must be screened for COVID-19 symptoms prior to appointments.
CBS2's Nick Caloway reports plenty of people were smiling behind their face coverings as they went to get the hair and nails done for the first time in months.
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Ray Haddad, the owner of Ray's Barber Pole in downtown Ramsey, sanitizes the chairs and equipment between each customer.
The staff are decked out in personal protective equipment; customers wear masks and have their temperatures checked at the door.
"Feels good. Ray did a great job, as usual," said Bill McGuire.
Haddad said he'll be working 11-hour-days for the foreseeable future.
One salon owner told CBS2 she's booked solid for three months.
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Customers were all smiles across the street at Avanti Salon, too.
"Very happy to be back here in my happy place," said Lorraine Dario.
"I wanted to run here today. I was a half hour early. I waited in my car," said Ali Stone.
"So excited to see all these beautiful ladies. All the stylists, the clients. It's just very exciting," said owner Stacy Perone.
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Caloway reports customers should expect a slew of safety precautions, like plastic barriers between chairs and temperature checks.
Masks and social distancing are also required when shopping, entering a restaurant for pick-up orders and on public transportation.
Other businesses, including tanning salons, tattoo parlors and nail salons, reopened as part of Stage 2 of the state's restart Monday.
Many of them are slammed with customers desperate for a "mani-pedi."
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"Feel like a new person. Like everything is back to normal. Almost," said Marita Rello.
Municipal and private club swimming pools are allowed to reopen, but many municipal pools remain closed.
Crestwood Lake in Allendale was allowed to open over the weekend.
"We're still a little nervous. But, I think we're excited to just be outside and get some fresh air and see people," said Melissa O'Sullivan.
That was a blessing for families on the heels of a three month lockdown.